Ray Lewis called the possibility of playing for the New York Jets and former Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan a "great opportunity."

Then again, he used the same phrase in describing Dallas — and also referred to his current location, Baltimore, as "my city."

The Ravens linebacker, who is an unrestricted free agent, is in Honolulu for the Pro Bowl this week. When he sat down with the NFL Network on Thursday for an interview, he was asked about several scenarios he might pursue as a free agent — including the Jets, who are coached by Ryan, who knows Lewis well.

"That's a great opportunity, reason being, we've been together for years," Lewis said.

Lewis said the two share the same "mentality."

"That relationship by itself is a match because of the relationship me and Rex have always had," said Lewis, 33. "That opportunity by itself looks attractive, seems attractive."

Lewis called playing in the media capital of the world part of the "upside" of New York, along with a Jets team he called a "young" one "that has a lot of talent."

"You try to wiggle No. 52 (Lewis' uniform number) in that equation somewhere, then that team goes from being OK to 'let's go win this,"' Lewis said. "That scenario by itself is always attractive."

Linebackers Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs also are Ravens free agents and also have expressed their admiration for Ryan. Free agency begins Feb. 27.

In the interview, Lewis was asked about playing in Dallas, home of enigmatic receiver Terrell Owens.

"I could definitely play with T.O.," Lewis said. "I see Dallas as a great opportunity. America's team."

He also expressed his affinity for Baltimore, where he has spent his entire 13-year career.

"There's nothing that I don't love about my city," Lewis said.

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti hinted during his end-of-season news conference that he hoped Lewis would be open to taking a hometown discount to stay in Baltimore. Lewis said Thursday that will not be the case.

"I don't play less, so if you don't play less, you don't take less," he said. "That's just life."

Of course, that means Lewis will command a hefty salary, money the Jets, who are over the salary cap, currently don't have available. Quarterback Brett Favre, should he retire, would give the Jets cash to make at least one big free-agent splash.

In the dog-bites-man news of the day, Favre's agent, Bus Cook, told 1050 ESPN on Thursday that his client had yet to make up his mind.

"I know Brett is deer hunting every day," Cook told 1050. "That's all I know. Once he decides what is going on, he'll tell me."

And, presumably, the Jets shortly thereafter.